Synthesising environmental and socio-economic sustainability models: a multi-level approach for advancing integrated sustainability research and practice

Over the last decade, increasing research into sustainable business models has produced a number of prototypes that address various dimensions and levels of sustainability. What exists is a patchwork of certification and disconnected frameworks that are less than systematic and comprehensive. This article addresses this lack of integrated, holistic sustainability management research and practice guides by bringing together several salient and strategic sustainability management models. The authors then forward a synthesised, integrated environmental and socio-economic sustainability model that can be used by different types of entities, at different levels of human organisation, to identify, apply, assess, evaluate, and improve processes that advance sustainability values. This article concludes by suggesting future directions for modelling and applying the concepts and practices of multiple levels, systems elements, stages, structures, and cultures to advance sustainability management.